Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-01-24
THE GARFIELD MEMORIAL.
Statement of the Present Condition of
the Work.

Statement of the Present Condition of
the Work.
Especial Correspondence
CLEVELAND, Jan. 1S.-During the ebsequies
OF President Garfield the movement to erecta
memorial to him met with great success. On
the corners of tho streets subscription booths
were erected, and thousands of dollars were
raised In this manner, the donations being In
the most part dimes and quarters. The banks
opened up subscription lists and issued certifi-
Gates for amounts of two dollars and upward.
An organization was effected, and the asso-
citation wa duly incorporated under the titls
OF National Garfield Memorial association
In a few months S136, 600 was raised and de-
posted in the banks at 4 per cent. interest.
Plans and designs were then solicited, and
soon the rooms of the executive committee
were. flooded with the designs of the most
noted artists CO Europe and America. The
design OF Mr.. George Keller, of Hartford,
Conn, was accepted and the prize awarded
him.
The contract for the mason work was let
for 100000. The excavation was made in
the fall Of 1855, and the work began early i'll
the following spring. By the time the win
ter get in this had been completed, and 1t is
now awaiting the roof. The memorial stands
upon the highest elevation in Lake View
cemetery, ard when completed n superb view
Of the city can be had from the ower The
| original plans called for a structure us feet
high, hut the committee, finding that tho
| funds would be inadequate for the proper
| completion of the structure, decided to re-
duce the height sixty eight feet. This change
gave rise to a great many vague ruinors as to
the solidity OF the structure, and many were
the ugly charges made against the executive
committee; but as the true condition Of things
became known the charges were gradually
withdrawn.
1t Is proposed to finish the chapel on a grand
1 and elaborate scale. From the beautiful mo-
sale floor to the arched ceiling above 1t Is
sixty feet. The DOM will be supported by
four polished Scotch granite columns. In the
center, on an elevated dais, will stand a fine
statue OF President Garfield. Various kinda
OF marble and hard wood will "be used, while
! richly stained windows of a historical nature,
and constantly burning lights of rich hues,
will lend enchantment to the scene. Spiral
stairs viii lead to the tower.
Mr.. Keller, the architect, Is in Europe
making all the contracts for the interior
work. All work has now been suspended on
account of the severe weather, but will be re-
stunned with energy In the spring. From pres.
entundications 1t would appear that the fin
tshing touches will be made early in the year
1858.
Meanwhile the body Of President Garfield
lies in the general receiving vault In the EN-.
| etery. On q dais at the end Of the vault rests
the huge bronze casket which is to be bis last
| covering. The caskets have already been
changed three times since the arrival of the
| body here; but when the government with.
drew the guards, some months ago, the bronze
casket was opened for the last time. Pre-.
| vious to the withdrawal OF the guards it was
customary for the commanding officer, on as.
Stunning his duties every three months, to open
the casket and view the remains. The last
time 1t was opened they say that the remains
were In a remarkable state Of preservation.
Two private watchmen constitute the guard
over the vault at night.
Two silk flags hide the bare stone wall, and
fall In graceful folds over the ends of the
casket. The only floral decoration is a bou.
quet of fresh cut flowers. placed upon the
casket every morning by order Of Mrs. Gar.
field, who Is now residing at the old home in
Mentor, some thirty miles east OF here.
FRANK j. MARTIN.